I normally take my big camera with me on a hike; however, on the Springer Mountain Summit Hike, I did not. I was too afraid I may bang it up, drop it on the ground or worse - drop it over a cliff. So, these shots (for the Springer Mountain Hike) were taken with my little hand held Canon pocket camera. The shots are not as super as they would have been had I taken them with my Canon 50D; however, they are good enough to get the idea of the surrounding areas on our hike.

This was one of the most scariest, incredibly arduous drives I have EVER driven! I drove up the highly mud filled road and Jeffrey had to drive down while I layed down in the back seat. If you have ever driven the road up to the parking lot across the mountain from the Springer Mountain Summit after a good downpour, then you know how slick and slippery this road can be. One must hug the side of the mountain so you don't slide over the huge drop off cliffs to your right. My nerves simply could not handle the drive back down. Thank God for Jeffrey!

This hike is definately not for the ill at heart. It is rigorous and will take your breath away especially if you climb up the rocky side. There is a good deal of rock jumping and one slip could be fatel especially if the rocks are slick and you only have on tennis shoes. It is probably smart to get a excellent pair of hiking boots before trekking to any hiking destination. My husband and I only wear Keen waterproof hiking boots. Trust me, the waterproof hiking boots are excellent when fording across water as long as you do not go into streams, creeks or rivers above the ankle.

Jeffrey made it to the summit with me. Of course he can hike to any summit. He is one strong man!

This metal markers (set in stone) indicates the start of the Appalachian Trail.

The infamous and much glorified Appalachian Trail (A.T.) begins here in north Georgia along a wooded ridge line in Chattahoochee National Forest. From this starting point, the trail traverses over 2000 miles of the Appalachian Mountains and ends on Mt. Katahdin, ME. The hike to the main ending summit is along a dirt trail along a secluded hardwood forest (where most times nobody ever is unless you are lucky enough to pass someone either heading to Mt. Katadin or back down to Springer) that climbs several hundred feet.

In 1958, the southern end of the AT was moved from Mt. Ogelthorpe to Springer Mountain. You can check around online to read the history behind why the starting point was moved to Springer mountain.

I look worn out and that's because I was! The drive up took a huge toll on me since there was tons of mud, we spun out a few times, and had to pass other vehicles on treacherous turns on the side of a steep mountain road, yet getting here was well worth the trip so I don't mind looking as though I've been whipped with mud/stress.

This metal marker (also set in stone) indicates the start of the Appalachian Trail. I wonder why someone would take the wooden sign that once marked the start of this trail.

This is what the hike is all about - getting to witness God's glorious beauty that He gives us.

The Appalachian Trail was dreamed up and created by Mr. Benton MacKay himself while on the summit of Stratton Mountain in Vermont. An enormous network of volunteers from various hiking clubs throughout northern Georgia and the Atlanta area turned Mr. MacKay's vision into a reality and their work continues to this day. Volunteer's announce (on a pretty regular basis) the days they are going to meet certain of the A.T.

Signing the notebook left behind for hikers. Many do not know where to find this book, but it is hidden beneath the rock to the right of this marker. Sign it next time you're up that way.

At Black Gap Shelter (7.3 miles up the A.T. Approach Trail) where we froze, yet had a yummy lunch made by my sweet chef hubby. We hiked here after hiking up to the Springer Mountain Summit.

And here is my filthy Honda. Again, Jeffrey had to drive down the mud filled road. I just didn't have the energy or the nerves to do it.

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BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN/OLD COPPER ROAD HIKE

20 November 2010

Jeffrey and I got married on November 19, 2007 and so for our anniversary this year (in 2010), we decided to take a hike together and we've been doing this each year for some time now.

We decided to take a trip to Blue Ridge just to go on another explorational journey - the kind I really LOVE!!! We found a cool hike along the way - down Old Copper Road; right out the back door of the Ocoee Whitewater Center in Ducktown, Tennessee.

The first few shots you will see are ones I took where I pulled over to take them. The final set of shots are those taken near the Ocoee Whitewater Center.

The sign inside the barn reads, "Cherry Log." Cherry Log is a town in N. GA near Ellijay, GA

Almost each time I pass by horses, I have to stop and take pictures of them.

Gorgeous leaves on a tree in Blue Ridge.

Entering the Cherokee National Forest

We started to hike this trail and then realized we might get slammed by mountain bikers speeding down the trail; so we hiked it a short way, then headed back to the Honda, so we could do some more exploring elsewhere and that's when we stumbled upon The Old Copper Road.

I do not know why, but moss shots are so interesting.

"One of the legacies of the 1996 Summer Olympics, the Ocoee Whitewater Center was the location of the Canoe, Kayak and Slalom events. Normally, whitewater adventure runs from June to September, when releases from Lake Blue Ridge dam increase the flow of the water on the Toccoa/Ocoee River (the Toccoa River becomes the Ocoee River at the Tennessee State Line). Rafters, canoers and kayakers all journey to the center located in the Ocoee River Gorge to enjoy the whitewater." http://www.blueridgemountains.com/ocoee_whitewater_center.html

Can you find Jeffrey amongst those huge boulders?

The water is so crystal clear.

Jeffrey made his way around the huge rocks. I was worried he was going to slip, but he's a careful man.

I wonder if a dinasaur stepped inside this rock millions of years ago.

Lake Blue Ridge

This granite is on the side of a mountain and right in front of it is a road. I couldn't wait to get to the other side of the lake, so I could pull over and snap this shot.

I LOVE the reflection of the leaves from the trees on the water in this shot at Lake Blue Ridge.

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DUKES CREEK HIKE

27 November 2010

Parking Area Coordinates: N 34º 42.105 | W 83º 47.361

Parking Area Elevation: 2100’

Elevation at base of falls: 1800’

Yonah Mountain

This was a planned journey and we had the best time just off trail hiking; yet almost breaking my back from one little slip just about did me in.

I wonder about myself sometimes. I know the woods are so much cooler because of the shade and I knew we would be in the woods beneath the trees in complete shade, but did I think to bring a warmer jacket? Ummm that would be a NO! Needless to say, I truly froze until I got my blood pumping hiking the trails.

Jeffrey is so smart to carry his water bottle with him. Can you see it sneaking out from underneath his very warm coat?

I thought these little thingy's were interesting to look at so I took a shot of 'em.

That's all for this trip. See below for more shots.

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MOCCASIN CREEK HIKE

5 December 2010

Moccasin Creek State Park3655 Highway 197
Clarkesville, GA 30523

N 34.847100 | W 083.588900

On this hike, I made sure to have my big camera with me so I could get the best shots possible.

A hiker would actually hike along Moccasin Creek before reaching Hemlock Falls.

A gorgeous day (12/5/10) for a drive and a couple of hikes into the North Ga. Mountains.

Our first hike began at the George Calvin Jackson Bridge where we took a wrong turn on foot and hiked further than we anticipated. The second hike was at Hemlock Falls in the Chattahoochee National Forest at Moccasin Creek State Park near Lake Burton. (Hemlock Falls is located 20 miles north of Clarkesville, Georgia in Rabun County on Ga. Hwy. 197).

We also stopped at the "Mark of the Potter" shop on our way to this hiking trail. There were tons of surprises in this little ole' shop. The hot Apple Cider was the best I've ever tasted and it sure warmed my bones in the 38 degree weather.

The shoals on the Soquee River are on private property behind "The Mark of The Potter" 10 miles N. of Clarksville on Hwy 197.

The road to Hemlock Falls (in Rabun County) and the hiking trail begins just south of the entrance to Moccasin Creek State Park. Be sure to wear your waterproof hiking boots/shoes for this hike because a number of side rivulets cross the path making for a wet hike. Although we consider the path safe, this may pose a minor problem for less experienced hikers. I love hiking down side of banks and into the woods where I can capture gorgeous shots not seen from a trail and/or path. Most of the stream coming down the mountain is hidden by the trees along the trail, so one must be an experienced hiker in order to get down some of those mountain sides. :-)

There are two ways to hike this trail. You can park your car at Moccasin Creek State Park and walk, or you can drive to the trailhead; down a bumpy, narrow, poorly maintained dirt road. Walking from the state park adds about 2 miles to the hike, which doesn't add much to the difficulty. About a mile down the treadway a wooden bridge crosses the river and you continue the final few feet on the other side of the river.

There has been some damage to the path from tornadoes and snowstorms which makes part of this trek difficult. This path also connects to the Appalachian Trail at Addis Gap and portions of the trail to Addis are still hikeable.

This little outhouse was on our way to Hemlock Falls, so of course, I pulled over to take a shot of it.

We pulled into Moccasin Creek State Park just so I could get a shot of this sign. This sign is across the street from the entrance to the road leading to Hemlock Falls.

There are several gushing areas along the path leading to the falls. You can go off the trail a short way to find this one and the one below.

That's all for this trip. See below for more shots.

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HEMLOCK FALLS

5 December 2010

N 34º51.151 | W 83º36.655

Elevation: 2110'

Be sure to wear your waterproof hiking shoes for this hike; no tennis shoes especially in the winter months unless you wish to get your feet cold.

There are two ways to hike this trail. The first option is to park at Moccasin Creek State Park and walk across the street to the trailhead. The second option allows you to drive to the trailhead, down a narrow, bumpy, very poorly maintained dirt road. If you choose to walk from the state park, the hike will add about 2 miles. This hike is fairly easy.

The sign on the side of the road leading to Hemlock Falls.

A nice size rock where someone professionally carved "Hemlock Falls Trai" on it. This rock is at the entrance to the trail leading to the falls.

The bridge one must cross over Moccasin Creek to get to Hemlock Falls.

Looking down Moccasin Creek on the side of the path, heading up to Hemlock Falls.

Abby and I beside Moccasin Creek before reaching Hemlock Falls. She was mesmerized by wall the water gushing around her. I tried to get her to get near the water, but this is as close as she would go. Good Job, Abby!

It was freezing once we got to Hemlock Falls, so of course I had to put my coat on.

I love this picture of Jeffrey and Abby. They are sitting on a rock to the left of Hemlock Falls.

That's all for this trip.

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DICKS CREEK FALLS

19 December 2010

N34º 40.78' | W83º 56.20'

Elevation: 1740'

Sharon, Thomas and Jeffrey heading down the large boulders so we can get to the waterfall area of Dicks Creek Falls.

The shoals above Dicks Creek Falls is at the confluence of Dicks and Waters Creek. Waters Creek which enters at the upper left of this photo is a a trophy trout stream.

This is on the shoals area of Dicks Creek.

Hi to all! From Jeffrey and Sharon at Dicks Creek Falls.

You can see how incredibly steep the mountain side is just by how Jeffrey is leaning going down the mountain.

There are a few areas on the side of the forest service road that you can walk on the boulders in the creek; providing the creek is not flooded from a good rain.

This shot was taken down the creek bed right before reaching Blood Mountain Creek Falls.

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BLOOD MOUNTAIN CREEK WATERFALLS

19 December 2012

Trailhead for lower falls: N 34º 41.87' | W 83º 57.18'

Elevation: 1980'

Trailhead for upper falls: N 34° 42.4' | W 83° 57.3'

Elevation: 2260'

This is right off the forest service road.

Thomas and I climbed up the boulders and he is showing me where the middle falls are to Blood Mountain Creek Falls up in the distance.

There was a lot of fallen trees in this area of the falls, but Jeffrey and Thomas decided to take an adventure and see how far they could get while Sharon and I stayed back exploring other areas. There is a trail to the left of the large boulder area where hikers climb up steep embankments to get to the lower and middle falls.

Such a gorgeous little run off from the lower and middle falls which we did not find on this hiking adventure.

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